To Be

 

Sunday night our church family observed John Wesley's Covenant Renewal Service. Toward the end of the service I asked; "How do you want God to bless you, spiritually, in 2017?". This question led to great introspection.

Today, I considered - and prayed over - this question deeper and I was led to one word, "be"

My hope, spiritually, is that I learn to "be" in 2017. 

I want to learn to "be" in the presence of God, to enjoy the quiet - and sometimes unproductive - moments with Him. I want The Lord to show me how to "be" with Him without the desire to "do" for Him. 

However, to "be" is not only my hope spiritually. There is more. 

My hope, relationally, is that I learn to "be" in 2017. 

I was recently reminded of the "StrengthsFinder" personality assessment that I took four years ago. I was asked to take the assessment again and it revealed - just as it did four years ago - that my greatest "strength" is "Acheiver". 

According to StrengthsFinder creator, Don Clifton, Achievers "have a great deal of stamina and work hard. They take great satisfaction from being busy and productive." 

It is this very "strength" that drives me to "do" rather than to "be". This is why my wife tells - and often has to force - me to sit down so often. I miss out on quite a bit, relationally, because of this drive to "do" rather than "be". 

Author M. Robert Mulholland Jr., in his book, "Invitation to a Journey", writes; "We live in a culture that has reversed the biblical order of being in doing. Being and doing our integrally related, to be sure, but we have to have the order straight. Our doing flows out of our being."

My prayer in 2017; God, teach me to "be".

The Long Walks

I remember the early days of dating my wife. We would take long walks almost every evening and it was the highlight of my day. 

Moments spent away from the stress and strain of life. 

The burdens of life still existed, it just seemed as though they didn't matter near as much when it was just the two of us. 

The second night after we met, we walked the track at Indiana State University and ended up sitting on the bleachers - laughing and talking.

It was times such as these - when it was just the two of us - that we became the best of friends, learned about one another's character, and fell in love with each other. It was through our long walks and talks that we realized that we wanted to share life together. 

Over the past 14 years some things have changed - jobs, homes, friends, and family - and with each comes additional responsibility, stress, and burden. I will admit that I have let the romance slip over the years. I have taken less walks, had shorter conversations, and stole her away for fewer dates. 

On our wedding day I vowed to love, honor, and keep her until death separates us. Yet, looking back I have allowed the simple stresses of life to come between us. 

I think I will take my wife out today, maybe we will take a walk.